I love fig rolls..

I do.. and I'm not too proud to admit it. Although, I have noticed that the actual taste of fig rolls varies depending upon what I have been doing beforehand. For example, If i'm sitting and watching television before eating one they never seem to taste as nice as they do following a long mountain run or bike. I've just got back, just eaten half a packet.. and they have prompted me to write this blog.

The answer to this quandry is pretty simple, when you do something which is difficult and causes suffering, pain or exposure to cold, wet and miserable weather, it heightens the experience of things as simple as a cup of tea, a warm fire, an embrace and of course.. a fig roll. Exercise reminds us of how it feels to be 'outside' our comfort zone and for that reason we appreciate our comfort zone considerably more (usually when we return to a warm house and close the door behind us).

Appreciating your comfort zone is very important, once you stop appreciating your comfort zone, you stop appreciating all those simple joys (such as fig rolls), many of which we are lucky to have and to some extent we take for granted every day.

I love fig rolls..

Here endeth theenduranceblog..

Someone pick me up please..

So only 3 weeks after the dreaded crash I've just been out for a 15 minute jog.. oh my lord the back and ribs were not happy.. but how good it felt to be out. It wasn't a training session as such but it was cold, clear and dark and the air smelt pretty fresh and it's times like these which make it clear just why we exercise.. how good it felt. I consider myself pretty lucky to be back so quick and I'm looking forwards to getting back on't hills.

The shoulder may be another matter and it could be several months before I can swim again (not sure I actually ever could swim). If I'm being honest.. keep this to yourself but I don't like swimming anyway.. staring at tiles and chlorinating myself never appealed so given the option, swimming would be the one out of the 3 which I would choose to break from.

Looking forwards to the winter months and some long social rides, long fell runs, cross country and cafe stops.. cold clear days, there really is nothing quite like it.. see you out there!

Here endeth theenduranceblog..

It's a fine balance

It's a fine balance indeed, sometimes you feel as though you are running like a whippet and riding like wiggins and the next thing you know it's all taken away..

I'm riding down a relatively tame bridleway in West Yorkshire being 'careful' as Helvellyn triathlon is only 7 days away and by my own standards.. I'm on form. My swimming, cycling and running are stronger than the year previous and to add a little extra zip I've lost 3kg from my already light frame to help deal with the hills.. things couldn't be better.

Then.. I hit something.. I'm up in the air, I fly heels over head (if i'm being precise) and find myself unable to move or see on the floor.. 45 minutes later I'm on gas and air as I'm lifted into the helicopter to be airlifted to the local hospital.. this wasn't part of the taper plan

Shoulder has dislocated but fortunately my suspected broken pelvis is in fact muscle damage and a rather irate sacro illiac joint.. My initial reaction is devastation as my 'Helvellyn triathlon world' collapses in.. but this is soon followed by.. get a bloody grip.. it's a race and you can still walk.. lets put things in prespective.. at least I can marshal!

So a painful lesson to end the year but realistically it has been a very good year for me and my disappointment at not being able to compete this weekend should not over shadow this.. roll on 2010!

Here endeth theenduranceblog..